The Daily Show vs. The Colbert Report

[Brandon Pierce]

It had to be done. I'm sorry.

You know, while Jon Stewert is funny, one of the funniest people on television nowadays, I have to say, I'm actually finding The Colbert Report to be funnier. It's not just that Stephen Colbert is "funnier", but I kind of like his persona better than what Jon Stewert presents.

While Jon Stewert tends to just comment on things and crack jokes, I like how Stephen, as a news anchor, is a bit more aggressive and actually comments is feelings on certain matters, and not afraid to say what's on his mind, and not afraid if it will offend somebody (I envy that. Cause I could never do that. I'm too chickensh... er... rimp).

Don't get me wrong, I like both shows, and I think Jon Stewert and Stephen Colbert are both wickedly hysterical. But, here I vote for The Colbert Report to be better.

[mr.happy]

The Daily Show is currently in a bit of a slump, but its peak level is much higher than The Colbert Report's, and it's often more relevant, but the show is really struggling to fill the gap left by some of its great correspondents, particularly Colbert himself.

[EinBebop]

I used to Tivo both, but I found I was too impatient to watch Colbert while watching daily, so now I just Tivo Colbert... set to start two minutes early so I can catch the "what's coming up" segment. :anime:

[Chrono1995]

All The Daily Show really has left now is Jon Stewart, who is growing increasingly more pissed off and jaded about the current state of affairs in the world, which I like because it inserts more zing and sting into his humor. The correspondents I really don't care for, except for Rob Cordury and Samantha Bee.

The Colbert Report is just all-around awesome, but like someone else mentioned, its peaks cannot surpass the peaks of The Daily Show, especially when it comes to interviews. Still, it has The Word, which balances things out nicely.

Tie.

[Sr.Infierno]

I think all of the new DS correspondants have been hilarious

[Mynd Hed]

The Daily Show's still got it as far as I'm concerned. Anyone else see that bit the other day with John Oliver as the "Senior Carryonologist" reporting on a "Terrour Plot" and advocating forced regime change in England? Good stuff.

[SirLemming]

In theory I think it's like comparing The Late Show (David Letterman) to Late Night (Conan O'Brien). Letterman's show is more hit-or-miss, but has more potential because it's not putting on as much of an act. The interviews are more real and there's more of a possibility for things to get out of hand or just weird. Conan's show is a tight ship, so it's more consistent and more worth catching every episode, and usually also funnier, but its greatest moments aren't quite as good as Letterman's. It shouldn't be hard to figure out where The Daily Show and The Colbert Report fall in this analogy.

In practice, I think Colbert is really starting to kick TDS's butt. Someone above mentioned that Stewart seems to be getting more jaded and upset, but I think that's making the show less enjoyable than it was even a few months ago (which is pretty much when I started watching). Maybe it's more enjoyable to anti-Bush people, I don't know, but I think in comedy that's really not supposed to matter much. I feel like he used to be a bit more even-handed, but now he seems angrier and stuff, and that's his personal prerogative, but it isn't particularly fun to watch.

Of course, like Letterman, TDS's scripted comedy segments have never been as good as Colbert's (Conan's).

[Classic Speedy]

I chose The Colbert Report. I love how it both glorifies and satirizes news analysts' views at the same time, and Colbert can say anything and it will be funny because his delivery is solid. It certainly doesn't hurt that TCR has some top notch writers, as well. And I can't get enough of the interview segments. It's like combining O'Reilly with Jiminy Glick.

[Zubby]

There are things I like and dislike about both shows.

I really like John Hodgman on The Daily Show, he's a very funny comic with deadpan delivery. The Daily Show's critique of tv news shows is totally spot on as well. John Stewart is a skilled interviewer, and has the ability to put people at ease then go for the kill when their guard is down. They do seem to be in a bit of a slump recently, but it's a minor one, and they've been in them before and came through just fine.

Colbert's parody of the obnoxious blowhard Bill O'Really types is excellent. The continual focus on the personality over the issues is what makes it so sharp. That he stays in charecter for the interview segments, however, makes them much weaker than the interviews on The Daily Show. Stephen Colbert, by staying in charecter, turns his interviews into a funnier version of what can be seen any night on Hannity and Colmes. Decent as parody, but largely content free.

I probably have a very slight preference for The Daily Show over The Colbert Report. I think the news show format is easier to parody, and allows for a greater variety of comedic elements than the personality-driven parody on Colbert's show.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

The Colbert Report is new and hip and is still in its honeymoon period. I like both, but knowing that I'm watching a persona rather than a real personality seems to keep me from fully embracing the show.

With the Daily Show, they tend to let the humour of the situations speak for themselves, rather than adding any unnecessary garnishing. And I kinda like that, there's nothing more funny than "real" humour.

Still, I tend to tune out of both shows at around the halfway mark. I'm not a big fan of their interview segments, and I think Letterman and Conan are more entertaining when interviewing guests.

[Dogbert]

The Colbert Report without a doubt. Sure, I'd probably pick TDS if we were comparing TDS from 2003 to today's TCR, but now it's no contest.

I have to agree about Jon's increasing anti-Bush humor. I don't think it's just my political view though; it's the quantity and quality of Jon's Bush jokes. They are way too frequent and always just "Bush is dumb, ha ha ha" type of jokes. Letterman doesn't have a problem coming up with clever jokes about our president, which makes the difference for me. As for Stephen, I've been asked a few times why I can't stand Jon's jokes, but a character that's a parody of the right is okay. I've found Stephen's character to be more of a parody of right-wing talking heads (i.e. Papa Bear) than the whole republican party. As a moderate that leans right, I find that funny. I would think a left leaning moderate would feel the same way about a tree hugging type parody of the left as well.

Back to why TCR is better... It's also nice that it's not just a news show. Stephen has a character that has a history and certain characteristics. Though, I'd actually like to see a new segment where someone other than Stephen talks. Maybe a correspondent or two. Don't get me wrong, I love Stephen, but they could use a little variety. Also, there's nothing as funny as Filliam H. Muffman...

[The Myst]

Though, I'd actually like to see a new segment where someone other than Stephen talks. Maybe a correspondent or two. Don't get me wrong, I love Stephen, but they could use a little variety.
Well, they've had occasional things like that, like when "Miss Manners" was introduced on there as a correspondent and when they had the guy from The Cars. Then there's Tad The Building Manager, Jimmy, Bobby, and Killer. Tad in particular has gotten his own segment. Remember when he went to the Duke Cunningham auction?

But the main problem is that it would go against Stephen's character to give the spotlight to someone else, considering the character's ego.

[Master of Fear]

The Colbert Report without question. The Daily Show is great with its commentary on the news, but the Colbert Report is all about personality, and one mans quest to bring the world what it needs, Truthiness.

“I will speak to you in plain, simple English. And that brings us to tonight's word: 'truthiness.' Now I'm sure some of the 'word police,' the 'wordinistas' over at Webster's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster%27s_Dictionary) are gonna say, 'hey, that's not a word.' Well, anyone who knows me knows I'm no fan of dictionaries or reference books.
I don't trust books. They're all fact, no heart. And that's exactly what's pulling our country apart today. 'Cause face it, folks; we are a divided nation. Not between Democrats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28United_States%29) and Republicans (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_%28United_States%29), or conservatives (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_conservatism) and liberals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_liberalism), or tops (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_%28sex%29) and bottoms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottom_%28sex%29). No, we are divided between those who think with their head, and those who know with their heart.
Consider Harriet Miers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Miers). If you 'think' about Harriet Miers, of course her nomination's absurd. But the president didn't say he 'thought' about his selection. He said this:
(video clip of President Bush (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush):) 'I know her heart.'
Notice how he said nothing about her brain? He didn't have to. He 'feels' the truth about Harriet Miers.
And what about Iraq (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Invasion_of_Iraq)? If you 'think' about it, maybe there are a few missing pieces to the rationale for war (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationale_for_the_Iraq_War). But doesn't taking Saddam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddam_Hussein) out 'feel' like the right thing?”

[Dogbert]

Well, they've had occasional things like that, like when "Miss Manners" was introduced on there as a correspondent and when they had the guy from The Cars. Then there's Tad The Building Manager, Jimmy, Bobby, and Killer. Tad in particular has gotten his own segment. Remember when he went to the Duke Cunningham auction?True, they've experimented a little. The Tad auction segment was really the only good solo so far. Miss Manners and the thing where Stephen gave a camera to two random people weren't all that great in my opinion. The rest of the gang doesn't really get any alone time and usually just serve to set up one line jokes.


But the main problem is that it would go against Stephen's character to give the spotlight to someone else, considering the character's ego.I fully agree that Stephen (the character) wouldn't want to share his show, but they can't really let that stop the show from improving. Most people really wouldn't care, but they could always have him introduce correspondents as people who cover stories not worthy of Stephen himself.

[SirLemming]

I have to agree about Jon's increasing anti-Bush humor. I don't think it's just my political view though; it's the quantity and quality of Jon's Bush jokes. They are way too frequent and always just "Bush is dumb, ha ha ha" type of jokes. Letterman doesn't have a problem coming up with clever jokes about our president, which makes the difference for me. As for Stephen, I've been asked a few times why I can't stand Jon's jokes, but a character that's a parody of the right is okay. I've found Stephen's character to be more of a parody of right-wing talking heads (i.e. Papa Bear) than the whole republican party. As a moderate that leans right, I find that funny. I would think a left leaning moderate would feel the same way about a tree hugging type parody of the left as well. When you don't enjoy a joke about your side of the belief spectrum, I feel that it's probably actually very rare that it's just because you're on that side. And The Colbert Report proves that. (So does American Dad, but not as often.) It's all about the attitude. I think it's because, even though you know that he's generally trying to get across the message opposite to what he's saying, there's still some sort of truth(iness) to it. It resonates. He has an unusually non-preachy way of making fun of conservatism; it's as if he's poking fun at the conservatism inside all of us, rather than making heavy-handed "jokes" that have messages attached to them about people being evil hypocrites and stuff. You generally get the sense that he's a fun guy to be around, whereas Jon Stewart is seeming like a bit more of a sour puss, and that makes a lot of difference.

[The Myst]

When you don't enjoy a joke about your side of the belief spectrum, I feel that it's probably actually very rare that it's just because you're on that side. And The Colbert Report proves that. (So does American Dad, but not as often.) It's all about the attitude. I think it's because, even though you know that he's generally trying to get across the message opposite to what he's saying, there's still some sort of truth(iness) to it. It resonates. He has an unusually non-preachy way of making fun of conservatism; it's as if he's poking fun at the conservatism inside all of us, rather than making heavy-handed "jokes" that have messages attached to them about people being evil hypocrites and stuff. You generally get the sense that he's a fun guy to be around, whereas Jon Stewart is seeming like a bit more of a sour puss, and that makes a lot of difference.

Colbert's act has really grown to encompass all sides of the political spectrum and people in general. I mean, you could say he supports a liberal point of view and only makes fun of conservatives but then there's Russ Lieber. I'm an extremely left-wing liberal and I find Russ Lieber to be hilarious, even though he's parodying people like me.

In particular, when Lieber and Colbert "debate" it seems to show just how stupid both sides are in the mainstream media. That Colmes sucks just as bad as Hannity. I like that.


True, they've experimented a little. The Tad auction segment was really the only good solo so far. Miss Manners and the thing where Stephen gave a camera to two random people weren't all that great in my opinion. The rest of the gang doesn't really get any alone time and usually just serve to set up one line jokes.

I agree Tad's was the best. But I'm a huge fan of Dinello.

[Anarky]

Colbert's act has really grown to encompass all sides of the political spectrum and people in general. I mean, you could say he supports a liberal point of view and only makes fun of conservatives but then there's Russ Lieber. I'm an extremely left-wing liberal and I find Russ Lieber to be hilarious, even though he's parodying people like me.

In particular, when Lieber and Colbert "debate" it seems to show just how stupid both sides are in the mainstream media. That Colmes sucks just as bad as Hannity. I like that.



I agree Tad's was the best. But I'm a huge fan of Dinello.

Does Colmes ever contribute to that program? Seems everytime I click by Faux News, Hannity hogs the camera, leaving Colmes w/ the commercial intros/outros. Hardly Balanced.

[The Myst]

Does Colmes ever contribute to that program? Seems everytime I click by Faux News, Hannity hogs the camera, leaving Colmes w/ the commercial intros/outros. Hardly Balanced.

Barely. He gets a few words in edge-wise. Colmes actually is somewhat intelligent and makes some good points occasionally but he's weak. He can't debate. So Hannity, who's very strong in that area even if nothing he says is true or makes sense, rips Colmes apart.

[Doop]

I think the Colbert Report is funnier.